The Art of Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO): Why It Matters and How to Enjoy It
- Feb 4
- 4 min read
Extra virgin olive oil is one of the finest, most versatile ingredients in Mediterranean cooking; an ingredient that can elevate a dish with just a drizzle.
At Baccalà, extra virgin olive oil isn’t just an ingredient. It’s part of the experience.
We treat EVOO with the same curiosity, respect and attention as wine, from selecting exceptional producers to serving oils at the table with pride. Whether poured over fresh seafood, dipped in with artisanal bread, or explored in a guided tasting, EVOO brings depth, authenticity, and emotion to every bite.
But what exactly makes EVOO so special? And why do we think it deserves the spotlight?
What Is EVOO, and What Makes It So Special?
Extra Virgin Olive Oil is the pure mechanical extraction of olives, without heat or chemicals, pressed once, and bottled in its most natural form. Each oil tells a story of its land, climate, olive variety, and the people who harvest it. That’s why knowing where an olive oil comes from truly matters.
At Baccalà, we regularly visit our producers in Italy and discover new ones. We taste, compare, and select oils that express real character and craftsmanship, just as we do with wine.
Unlike ordinary cooking oils, EVOO is alive with flavour and rich in natural goodness. It can be grassy, peppery, fruity, delicate, or intense. It's also sits at the heart of Italian culture: no Italian table is complete without it.
EVOO vs. Olive Oil: What's the Difference?
Here’s the simple truth: EVOO is ‘the real’ olive oil.
Everything else is just… olive oil.
While many commercial oils are refined, deodorised, or blended, Extra Virgin Olive Oil must meet strict standards. It has an acidity level below 0.8% and is produced from the highest-quality olives using purely mechanical processes without any defects.
That’s why we use only EVOO at Baccalà—in the kitchen and at the table.
Health Benefits of EVOO
Beyond flavour, EVOO is remarkably good for you. It’s a cornerstone of the Mediterranean diet and is linked to longevity and wellbeing.
Rich in antioxidants and polyphenols such as oleocanthal, high-quality EVOO can help reduce inflammation, support heart health, and lower bad cholesterol.
And because we serve only fresh, seasonal, naturally produced oils, you enjoy all these nutritional benefits straight from the source.
Why Freshness Matters: EVOO Is Best When New
Unlike wine, which may improve with age, olive oil is at its best when it’s fresh.
Every year, at Baccalà we celebrate the new harvest, welcoming freshly pressed oils directly from small Italian producers we know, trust, and love.
From the moment olives are harvested, oxidation begins. That’s why modern producers use advanced techniques to process olives in the absence of oxygen, preserving flavour, aroma, and health properties.
Once opened, a bottle of EVOO should ideally be enjoyed within two months to retain its freshness.
A great fresh EVOO should evoke green apple, herbs, tomato leaf, and fresh grass. On the palate, it should be slightly bitter, gently spicy, and clean, with an elegant finish.
The taste is brighter.
The aroma is more vibrant.
The experience is incomparable.
The New Harvest EVOO Pairing Dinner at Baccalà
Each year, from January onwards, we celebrate the arrival of the new harvest with our Extra Virgin Olive Oil Pairing Experience at Baccalà. As long as the fresh oils are available, guests can enjoy this unique way of discovering EVOO at its finest.
Each course is thoughtfully paired with a different extra virgin olive oil, just as wine would be matched with food. Guided by Chef Moreno and our team, you’ll explore rare, artisanal oils from Italy and discover how flavour, texture, and origin can transform seafood, pasta, vegetables, and even desserts.
More than a dinner, it’s a seasonal journey into the heart of Italian cuisine, perfect for food lovers, wine enthusiasts, and curious minds looking for something truly distinctive in London.
Perfect for food lovers, wine enthusiasts, and curious minds, the New Harvest EVOO Pairing Experience is one of Baccalà’s most distinctive offerings—available throughout the new harvest season for guests who want to taste olive oil in a completely new way.
How We Serve EVOO at Baccalà
At Baccalà, EVOO is treated like a fine wine, with care and confidence. You’ll taste it:
Poured over crudo and fresh seafood
Paired with artisanal bread
Drizzled over burrata, grilled vegetables, and handmade pasta
Presented in guided EVOO tasting sessions
Even subtly incorporated into desserts
For cooking, we use a lighter blend EVOO as the base of our preparations, while our finest mono-cultivar oils are reserved for finishing dishes at the table.
EVOO is never an afterthought at Baccalà. It’s a signature.
What Happens at an EVOO Tasting?
Our Extra Virgin Olive Oil Tastings in London are a unique Baccalà experience, hosted by chef Moreno Polverini, who carefully selects the oils we serve.
You’ll taste a flight of oils from across Italy; each one with its own aroma, mouthfeel, and personality. You’ll learn how to smell, sip, and describe EVOO, and how to match it with food just like wine.
Our extra virgin olive oil tastings in London are perfect for food lovers, corporate events, or anyone curious to learn something new.
Want to Take the Flavour Home?
We offer a carefully curated selection of artisanal Italian EVOOs for sale, including seasonal new harvests and rare bottles from independent producers. If you want the real deal but aren’t hopping on a plane to Italy anytime soon, our oils are one of the easiest (and most delicious) ways to bring authentic Italian flavour into your home kitchen.
They also make beautiful gifts—birthday presents, thank-yous, or additions to your home pantry. You’ll also find them in our Baccalà Italian Hampers, alongside wine, snacks, and other handpicked Italian products.
Conclusion: The Secret Ingredient You Never Knew You Needed
EVOO is more than olive oil—it’s a celebration of simplicity, flavour, and tradition.
At Baccalà, we honour it in every dish, every drizzle, and every tasting.
Join us for a meal, book a guided EVOO tasting, or take home a bottle of something truly special. Once you taste the real thing, you’ll never look at olive oil the same way again.
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